New public vehicles opposed

BEKASI, West Java (JP): Public transport drivers serving the Bantar Gebang-Bekasi route stopped working for a half-day yesterday to protest the operation of new vehicles on their route.

A dozen new vehicles with the number K11C started operating yesterday, when hundreds were stranded as the drivers refused to carry passengers.

"We were protesting the addition of new vehicles because there are already more than enough," he said.

Some of the drivers went back to work in the afternoon, but no settlement was reached. The Bekasi branch of the association of privately-run public transport owners (Organda) said that the addition of 220 vehicles to the route has the city administration's approval.

The organization had yet to receive a report on the strike, but said that it has plans to put 500 new vehicles on the road to link remote areas to Jakarta and Bekasi's town center.

An Organda source, who requested anonymity, said the additional fleets will be phased into operation until the year 2000 once approved by the regency and City Council.

Each route will be served by 50 vehicles, he added.

The new fleets to be introduced will serve the following routes: Sumur Batu to Bekasi; Pondok Gede to Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta; Kota Legenda to Pulo Gadung, East Jakarta; Cikarang to Pulo Gadung, East Jakarta; Cikarang to Tegal Nanas; Cibitung to Klender and Sukatani to Bojong. (kod)